Live from the Winternationals
 

Hello, everybody. We're here at the 51st annual NHRA Winternationals. We get to get a taste of that sunny Southern California weather that a certain V10 Challenger owner is always bragging about. The Weather Channel is calling for a 40% chance of rain and Friday, 60% on Saturday and 30% on Sunday. They haven't had to postpone the Winters for a couple of years now. I hope we're able to get it in this weekend.

Not much happening today. Just people getting teched and getting their credentials. I hear that Mike and Paula Cotten made it here after their run in with Barney Fife. Glad they made it. Congratulations to Mike on his win at Phoenix.

I saw one rig get pulled over on my way here. He was speeding, but I doubt that's what he was really pulled over for. He had to be at least 70 feet long.

I'll go around later and see if I can get some video. In case you missed it here is the link for the folder with all the video I posted for the Phoenix LODRS:

http://www.mediafire.com/?s5svccv6x5475


I'll be making a new folder for the Winternationals. I'll post that address later.


-Toby

Re: Live from the Winternationals
 

Good luck Toby and thanks for.the updates and pics. Maybe you can show us northeast folks some sun and green grass since I am seeing snow and feeling the cold wind.

Re: Live from the Winternationals
 

Anybody able to find out what time they will let racers in tomorrow morning. I would greatly appreciate it.

Re: Live from the Winternationals
 

Toby,
I can't seem to get the video, only the audio of your fantastic posts. Any thoughts on that?

Re: Live from the Winternationals
 

Did you install the codec pack?:

http://www.cccp-project.net/download.php?type=cccp

If that doesn't work you will probably have to use VLC player. Should be easy to find on google. Sometimes there is something installed that prevents the player from using the correct codec. VLC player has the codecs built in I think. I've tried VLC player before I didn't like it because it associates all audio and video files to it. You can always uninstall it later though.

If you are using windows media player, you should be able to right click on the video and select properties and it should tell you which codec it is using. It should say ffdshow video decoder or H264.

I'll go ask the pit workers what time the gates will be open for competitors. I'm guessing 7:30, but I'll go check to make sure.


-Toby

Re: Live from the Winternationals
 

Much better. Thanks.

Re: Live from the Winternationals
 

I talked to Harold and Gary and they think the gates don't open until 8 AM, but they're not totally sure. They also think you'll have to come in through gate 15. Will be kind of hard to get pitted and teched in time to make the first qualifier if they don't open the gates until 8.

They said they would check and find out for sure. I will go ask them later.


-Toby

Re: Live from the Winternationals
 

The drag is that they close at like 5 or 6pm tonight because of noise curfew, or I would just come after work. At the finals I can't remember what time they let us in on Thursday, but it was pressed to get teched in time. Please let me know what you find out, or if they will be open late tonight. Thanks.

Re: Live from the Winternationals
 

Jeff,

I talked to them again and this time they radioed up to somebody that knows what's going on. According to the guy on the radio, you come in the same gate you normally would (Gate 17) and line up there. They are supposed to park you at 7 AM.

Sounds a lot better than what they were saying before. :)


-Toby

Re: Live from the Winternationals
 

With an 8:15 start time tomorrow and weather threats/early noise curfews I would hope they would give us more than 15 minutes to get in and get warmed up! We aren't sure what time we can start engines, if anyone knows and can pass it along....like Toby with gate times, no one here seems to give the same answer twice. We heard 8 a.m. but not sure. :confused:

I will try to help Toby in his reporting and take some pictures tomorrow as well. We are thrilled to be here, but a bit nervous about the forecast. Today's wind is a serious factor protector. There must be a steady 20+ mph head wind today, sure glad we aren't racing elims into that!

Re: Live from the Winternationals
 

No race motors are allowed to be started before 8 AM. They said there are supposed to be parking racers at 7 AM. Most people just tow their cars to tech so they don't have to start them. Somebody should have a rental car you can borrow for towing.

Edit: I reread your post and take it that you are already here and teched. That's the way it's been for years. Start motors 8 and run Stock at 8:15


-Toby

Re: Live from the Winternationals
 

Thanks, Toby. I seem to remember that, but no one was 100% sure. See you in the lanes tomorrow! :D

Re: Live from the Winternationals
 

Thanks Toby. You are a great asset to this sight, and all your extra effort is greatly appreciated. That sounds much better, and should be enough time to get ready. Thanks again, and I will try to introduce myself tomorrow.

Re: Live from the Winternationals
 

Toby,

Thank you for your reporting/pictures/videos it makes not being able
to attend a little better.

Re: Live from the Winternationals
 

Here's what it says at the bottom of the schedule posted on nhra.com:

NOTE: Local ordinances require that no race vehicle engines be operated prior to 8:00 AM Thursday thru Saturday, and 9:30 AM Sunday (this includes driving to and from the staging lanes). Also, race vehicle engines may not be operated after 7:00 PM Thursday thru Saturday, and after 6:00 PM Sunday


-Toby

Re: Live from the Winternationals
 

Much better. Thanks.

Re: Live from the Winternationals
 

Here's the schedule for Thursday:
http://i14.fastpic.ru/big/2011/0224/...71833f8c44.jpg

Friday:
http://i14.fastpic.ru/big/2011/0224/...2db002271b.jpg

Re: Live from the Winternationals
 

Thank you Toby!

Re: Live from the Winternationals
 

Toby,

Thanks and Good Luck to all the racers @ The Winternationals ...

Re: Live from the Winternationals
 

I would much rather be out there than watching it SNOW!!!!!!!!!!

Re: Live from the Winternationals
 

Not to worry at 8:15 some of the well know racers (who shall remian nameless here) will not be in the lanes until around 8:45

Hell - they do not even get their cars out of the trailer until the first pair goes down the track

You should easily have until 8:35 or 8:40

70 cars will take 35 minutes at least

:-) peace

Re: Live from the Winternationals
 

It's lightly sprinkling right now. They have it up to a 70% chance of rain on Friday.


-Toby

Re: Live from the Winternationals
 

Thanks, Toby!

I'll have to depend on your excellent reporting to get me through another race weekend with no race car (yet!)

Lew

Re: Live from the Winternationals
 

Kevin, quit screwing around and get back to work! hahaha

Thanks for the reports Toby. It's almost like being there...until I look out the window and see all the snow we have in Michigan.

Re: Live from the Winternationals
 

Kevin, Live audio on nhra site starts 11.15 eastern time, Pro`s run today so they have audio on. Tom

Re: Live from the Winternationals
 

has anyone tried the live audio link yet ?? I don't hear anything coming through ??

Re: Live from the Winternationals
 

It's working now, the second pair of Stock just ran.

Re: Live from the Winternationals
 

Is live timing working for anyone else? Mine keeps showing who is running but I get no numbers.

Re: Live from the Winternationals
 

Same here

Re: Live from the Winternationals
 

Robert Pond just went 9.62@138+ in AA/S; that is one flyin' Ford Fairlane!

Re: Live from the Winternationals
 

Give it a minute to load...
Alan can't figure out why Scott Burton would lift ...Duh!

Re: Live from the Winternationals
 

Can anybody tell me if I download this viewing program on a Mac, will it work
(looks like a windows program only)?

I liked your photos just as well...

Thank YOU Toby!

Larry

btw - it's -10*F here today with more snow....

Re: Live from the Winternationals
 

Larry,

Quicktime should have no problem viewing the video files.


-Toby

Re: Live from the Winternationals
 

Larry, if you default to Safari as your browser try Modzilla Firefox...your MAC will thank you..

Re: Live from the Winternationals
 

Stock Q1 is up. It's just like before, shots from the staging lanes.

Here's the URL for the folder I will be uploading all files for the Winternationals:

http://www.mediafire.com/?14xi9p6h7kctw

Since there are about twice as many cars here as there were in Phoenix, it's going to take longer to encode and upload the files. They will be there though. Part 1 of Super Stock Q1 will be next.

Preview:
http://i14.fastpic.ru/big/2011/0224/...ce31a1e3c5.jpg


-Toby

Re: Live from the Winternationals
 

Hey Toby, Can you tell me why I have sound but no picture? thanks

Re: Live from the Winternationals
 

You need to install this codec pack:

http://www.cccp-project.net/download.php?type=cccp

Hopefully that will work. If it doesn't you will need to use VLC player. Just do a google search for it.


-Toby

Re: Live from the Winternationals
 

Hey Toby, I have downloaded both and no picture. thanks

Re: Live from the Winternationals
 

Still cant touch the blown Mustangs.

Re: Live from the Winternationals
 

Did you install the codec pack? I'm pretty sure VLC player should play it. You have to open the files with VLC player though.


-Toby